Iced Earth’s founding guitarist Jon Schaffer recently provided an update on the band’s future musical plans. He shared his thoughts on the creative process and industry pressures in an interview with the Brutally Delicious podcast.
Schaffer addressed whether he has any plans to release new music in the not-too-distant future. He emphasized his commitment to artistic integrity over commercial pressures.
“There will be new music. There’s no doubt [about it]. But it’s gonna happen on my timeline,” Schaffer said. “Because as much as I hear, and I know the fans, especially the Iced Earth fans, want new music, I’m not interested in new music; I want great music.”
The guitarist explained his philosophy on creating music versus following industry expectations.
“And anything else outside of being truly inspired is not interesting to me,” he continued. “Going out and putting the band back together just for the purposes of trying to feel relevant or to make money, that’s the easy way. That’s a checkers move. I’m not interested in it. It’s gotta be because I really love it, not because the machine relies on it. And I was in that.”
Schaffer reflected on his career and the changes he witnessed in the music industry over the decades.
“I think we did great records. I’m proud of my career,” he said. “But when you’re in that sort of the hamster wheel of new album, tour, that cycle that goes on constantly, you get off of the original point. It becomes a business. It becomes this thing where you sometimes have to go through the motions, even if you don’t feel like it, because there’s commitments. And things changed a lot in the music business. I mean, I was in it for decades.”
He described how the industry’s focus shifted away from albums as the primary product.
“I saw a lot of things change. And it got to be to where the albums were like a side note for the band to go out and tour and sell merch,” Schaffer explained. “And I just refuse to do that. I’m not gonna be chasing Federal Reserve notes over like my integrity as an artist, and that’s where it’s at. That’s just where I’m at. It’s a no-go zone until the inspiration is there. Things are starting to happen, so I can feel that. But it may take a while. But I’m not playing checkers with this shit.”
Schaffer indicated that creative inspiration is beginning to return, though no specific timeline was provided.
Schaffer’s comments come during a period of significant personal and professional transformation following his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. This led to major changes in his musical career and personal life.
Blabbermouth reported that Schaffer’s involvement in the Capitol riot led to his 2021 arrest. This caused Iced Earth to effectively disband as band members distanced themselves from the situation. In October 2024, he received a sentence of three years probation, 120 hours of community service, $1,000 in restitution, and a $200 assessment. He was later pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2025.
The legal ordeal appears to have had a profound impact on Schaffer’s perspective. Parade noted that in April 2025, Schaffer described the experience as “the biggest gift” of his life. He credited it for leading him to faith in Jesus Christ. This spiritual transformation has influenced his approach to returning to music.
Rather than immediately reforming Iced Earth, Schaffer has focused on his politically oriented side project, Sons of Liberty. Lambgoat revealed that he announced a comeback with “Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2),” a remixed collection from earlier works. This includes material from the 2009 “Brush-fires of the Mind” LP and the 2011 “Spirit of the Times” EP. The release was scheduled for July 4, 2025, via The Circle Music. It features updated live drums by Mark Prator.
Schaffer has described the Sons of Liberty project as more than just music. He called it “a wake-up call and an attempt to start brushfires of freedom.” This political focus represents a continuation of themes he explored before his legal troubles. His recent experiences have clearly shaped his current artistic vision and timeline for future releases.
